Gibson feeling the heat for vote on abortion ban bill

Reproductive health group critical of his stand on most abortion

By Jimmy Vielkind

Published 9:53 pm, Thursday, June 20, 2013

Albany

While he maintained he supported a right to choose abortion during the last election cycle, Republican Rep. Chris Gibson was condemned by a reproductive health group for voting for a bill that would ban most abortions after 20 weeks.

Court decisions have established the right to an abortion until the time when a fetus is determined to be "viable" by a doctor — meaning it could survive outside the womb with or without support. This generally occurs around 24 weeks. The 20-week threshold was selected because there are medically disputed claims that it's the age at which a fetus can feel pain.

The measure was offered by Arizona Republican Rep. Trent Franks and was largely aimed at whipping up the party's conservative base. It passed the GOP-controlled House by a 228-196 vote but has essentially no chance of becoming law. The Democrat-controlled Senate does not plan to consider it, and President Barack Obama promised to veto the bill.

Most Democrats, including Reps. Bill Owens and Paul Tonko, opposed the measure along with six Republicans — including Utica Rep. Richard Hanna. Gibson, of Kinderhook, supported the bill because he opposes "late-term" abortions.

"As has been his position since he was elected, Congressman Gibson believes abortion is a private choice between a woman and her doctor. He does not support making early-term abortions illegal, nor overturning Roe v Wade," said Stephanie Valle, Gibson's deputy chief of staff. "He is opposed to late term abortions and federal funding for abortions, with exceptions in cases of rape, incest, or when the life of the mother is endangered."

In accordance with federal court decisions, the Franks bill allowed exceptions for abortions stemming from cases of rape, incest and to protect the health of the would-be mother.

M. Tracy Brooks, president of Planned Parenthood Advocates of New York, said Gibson's vote was "absolutely disappointing."

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"This is not someone who's supportive of reproductive health care," Brooks said. "Being supportive of the full range of reproductive health care isn't rendering judgment or standing in the shoes of a medical provider."